THRO vs. QQQM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

THRO (iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - THRO is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by iShares, while QQQM is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. THRO is actively managed, while QQQM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, THRO returned 24.41%/yr vs 28.89%/yr for QQQM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. THRO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

THRO vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THRO achieves a 12.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQQM's 21.39% return.

THRO

• 1D: -0.55%
• 1M: 6.78%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 12.56%
• 1Y: 26.45%
• 3Y*: 24.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQM

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 10.67%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 6M: 19.75%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

THRO vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
THRO iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF	12.78%	15.04%	32.03%	24.40%	-17.85%	2.14%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	21.39%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	2.88%

Correlation

The correlation between THRO and QQQM is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2021	0.92

The correlation between THRO and QQQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

THRO vs. QQQM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	THRO	QQQM
Technology	40.7%	53.8%
Financial Services	12.1%	0.2%
Communication Services	11.6%	15.8%
Industrials	10.4%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	7.7%
Healthcare	6.6%	4.2%
Energy	1.7%	0.6%
Basic Materials	0.9%	1.1%
Utilities	0.1%	1.4%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

THRO vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

THRO

THRO Risk / Return Rank: 57
THRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
THRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
THRO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
THRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
THRO Martin Ratio Rank: 60

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

THRO vs. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	THRO	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.65	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.46	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	3.53	-1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	13.52	-2.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THRO vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THRO Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THRO and QQQM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	THRO	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	2.65	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.85	-0.10

Drawdowns

THRO vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THRO drawdown since its inception was -26.54%, smaller than the maximum QQQM drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THRO and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	THRO	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.54%	-35.04%	+8.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.87%	-11.96%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	-22.70%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.20%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-8.25%	+1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	3.11%	-0.66%

Volatility

THRO vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) is 3.47%, while Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that THRO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	THRO	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	4.48%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.09%	12.05%	-1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.00%	15.91%	-2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.72%	22.24%	-3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.72%	22.12%	-3.40%

THRO vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

THRO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

THRO vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

THRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than QQQM's 0.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.41%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%
THRO iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF	0.16%	0.15%	0.73%	0.55%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THRO and QQQM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, THRO and QQQM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, THRO or QQQM?

QQQM has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to THRO (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THRO dropped -26.54% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which ETF is better, THRO or QQQM?

On 3-year performance, QQQM leads with 28.89% vs 24.41% for THRO. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, THRO has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, THRO or QQQM?

Over the 3-year period, QQQM has performed better with a 28.89% return vs 24.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, THRO or QQQM?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for THRO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, THRO or QQQM?

QQQM has the higher dividend yield at 0.41%, compared with 0.16% for THRO.

What is the main difference between THRO and QQQM?

THRO is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while QQQM is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for THRO and 0.15% for QQQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.05), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.